PROHIBITIVE FEES and a lack of English-language classes are major barriers to higher education for people granted residence in Ireland, according to a new report.
The study, published yesterday by the Refugee Information Service, recommends that all foreigners granted residence in the State should be eligible for the same reduced fees at third level.
Currently, people with refugee status are entitled to the same “free fees” scheme as Irish students but those in other status categories are required to pay higher fees.
Dr Liam Coakley of University College Cork, who wrote the paper, said this was “an impediment to many and thus must be seen as discriminatory in effect”.
The report, based on interviews with college officials and relevant organisations as well as focus groups with African immigrants, also recommends the drafting of a national English-language learning strategy to co-ordinate and improve efforts being made at local level across the State.
“Proficiency in English remains key,” Dr Coakley said.
“Service providers are active locally but much wider co-ordination of effort, accreditation of learning and progression onwards is needed.”
Refugee Information Service director Josephine Ahern stressed the importance of providing information on the rights and entitlements of those in each status category. She also spoke of the “disabling effect” of a lack of financial resources for refugees, which resulted in them combining work with study to provide for families abroad.
“Education is one of the many ways of preserving the human dignity of refugees, and clear and co-ordinated guidelines need to be put in place so these groups of people do not end up being socially and educationally disadvantaged,” Ms Ahern said.
